Animal Control

A: The animal control officer can be contacted by calling the office at (705) 785-3479

Q: Does my dog need a tag?

A: Yes, all dogs in Plummer Additional must be licensed each year by March 31st.

Q: Where can I purchase a dog tag?

A: Dog tags can be purchased at the township office. Tags are $5 each for spayed/neutered dogs and $10 each for dogs that have not been spayed or neutered. Proof of rabies vaccination required upon registration. The fees double after March 31st each year.

Bears

Q: What to do if you encounter a black bear while enjoying the outdoors?

A: Bears usually avoid humans. But if you do encounter one, it’s important to remember that they are powerful and potentially dangerous animals. If you are a hiker, cyclist, jogger, berry picker, or anyone who plans to spend some time in “bear country”, there are some things you should do if you encounter a bear.

If you encounter a bear:

If the bear is not paying any attention to you, slowly and quietly back away while watching the bear to make sure it isn’t following you

Do not approach the bear to get a better look

If the bear obviously knows you are there, raise your arms to let the bear know you are a human.

Make yourself look as big as possible. Speak in a firm but non-threatening voice while looking at the bear and backing away

Watch the bear to gauge its reaction to you. Generally, the noisier the bear is, the less dangerous it is, providing you don’t approach the bear. If a bear huffs, pops its jaw or stomps its paws on the ground, it wants you to back away and give it space

If a bear closely approaches you, drop any food you are carrying and continue backing up

If the bear continues to try to approach, stand your ground and be aggressive – use your whistle or air horn, yell, stand tall, wave your arms and throw objects

If a bear keeps advancing and is getting close, continue to stand your ground. Use your bear pepper spray and anything else to threaten or distract the bear – bears will often first test to see if it is safe to approach you

Do not run or climb a tree. Bears can run faster and climb better than you

If the bear makes contact, fight back with everything you have

Wolves

Wolves are an important part of our ecosystem, and contribute to Ontario’s rich biodiversity. The presence of wolves is a good indication that our natural spaces are healthy.

Wolves are shy and generally avoid humans. However, they can lose their fear of humans if they learn to associate us with easily available food. When this happens, wolves may be seen inv daylight hours and may approach camping areas, homes and people.

Responsibility for managing problem wildlife on properties

Landowners are responsible for managing problem animals on their property. For example, if there are wolf problems on municipal property it is the municipality’s responsibility to deal with them.

The Ministry of Natural Resources helps landowners and municipalities deal with problem wildlife by providing fact sheets, appropriate agency and animal control services referrals, and information necessary to obtain authorizations where required.

The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act sets out the legal actions property owners can take to deal with problem wildlife. Generally, landowners or their agents may capture, kill, or harass problem wolves to prevent damage to their property. Anyone who kills a wolf in protection of property is urged to report it to the local ministry office. Those living in most of northern and central Ontario – Wildlife Management Units 1-42, 46-50 and 53-58 – must immediately report the killing of a wolf or coyote in protection of property to their ministry office.

Homeowners can take steps to ensure wolves aren’t attracted to their property and to keep their pets safe. The Ministry of Natural Resources has these tips for the public.

If you encounter a wolf

Do not approach it to get a better look, entice it to come closer, or harass it.

Do not feed it.

Leave room for it to escape.

If a wolf approaches you or acts aggressively (growls or snarls)

Raise your arms and wave them in the air to make yourself look larger.

Back away slowly while remaining calm; do not turn your back on, or run from, a wolf or any other wild animal.

Make noise and throw objects at the wolf.

Use whistles, personal alarm devices or commercially available pepper spray (effective only at short ranges) to frighten an approaching or threatening animal.

Keep pets safe

Cats and small dogs may be seen as prey by wolves, while larger dogs may be seen as competitors. To avoid these situations consider the following suggestions:

Feed pets indoors.

Do not allow pets to roam. Wolves may try to kill a dog or a cat when given the opportunity.

Walk your dog on a leash at all times.

Do not leave pets unattended outside unless they are in a kennel with a secure top; wolves can jump into fenced yards, and dogs confined by chains are vulnerable to attack.

Spay or neuter your dogs. Wolves are attracted to, and can mate with, domestic dogs that have not been spayed or neutered.

Secure garbage and minimize attractants on your property

Properly store and maintain garbage containers.

Put garbage at curbside the morning of the scheduled pickup, rather than the night before.

Use enclosed composting bins rather than exposed piles. Wolves are attracted to products containing meat, milk and eggs.

Do not feed wildlife such as deer to prevent attracting wolves to your property; remove deer food and salt blocks.

Keep pet food indoors.

Prevent predation on livestock

Barns or sheds can provide effective protection from wolf predation for livestock that bed inside or nearby at night.

Remove bush and forest cover that can help conceal predators like wolves from all active pastures.
Consider electric fencing to help deter wolves and other predators.

Guard animals, such as donkeys, llamas and dogs can be a cost-effective way to protect livestock from wolves. Guard animals will develop a bond with livestock if they are slowly integrated and will aggressively repel predators.

Well-lit yards or the use of motion-sensitive lighting may make your property less attractive to wolves and other nocturnal wildlife.

For more information on preventing livestock predation, please visit the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs website.